Kent State football team and coach Doug Martin finally have the chance to pick up where they left off last season.

The Flashes began training camp yesterday morning and will continue through the next two weeks. Players and coaches began meeting yesterday and formal practices begin today.

After ending the 2004 season with a four-game winning streak, the Flashes are preparing to continue the streak.

Although yesterday was the first day players had to be on campus, the summer months were productive for the team.

“Most of the team stayed here,” Martin said. “A lot of excitement (from last season) carried over.”

During the first week, the team will focus on fundamentals and the dreaded kicking game that took the Flashes out of multiple games early last season. Scrimmages will begin the second week of training camp, Martin said.

Martin said that he also plans to work with the second team players and involve the team’s new freshmen.

“We have a couple of new wide receivers and defensive backs we’re looking at to do well,” Martin said, “but everyone adjusts differently, so we’ll have to see.”

The Flashes kick-off the season against Michigan State in East Lansing, Mich., at noon, Sept. 3.

Contact general assignment reporter Kali Price at [email protected].